Anthony Martial is reportedly close to agreeing a new contract with Manchester United after a breakthrough in talks.

The France international had rejected an offer from the Red Devils last October, with former United boss Jose Mourinho using the 23-year-old sparingly.

However under new manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, ​Martial, like his teammates, has enjoyed an upturn in form, and has now scored eight times in his 17 ​Premier League appearances this season.

Now, ​Sky Sports News report that after activating a year-long extension clause in the striker’s current contract to keep him at Old Trafford until 2020, Solskjaer’s side are now on the verge of agreeing a new five-year deal.

RMC journalist Mohamed Bouhafsi further ​added that there is a ‘general agreement’ between the two parties over extending Martial’s contract, with the Frenchman’s agent Philippe Lamboley confirming that only ‘some details need to be finalised’. 

Speaking to Norway’s ​TV2 earlier this week, the ​United forward spoke glowingly of Solskjaer’s influence on him in recent weeks and revealed that the Norwegian had given him the freedom to express himself on the pitch.

Martial said: “It is great for me to work with a manager who was attacking even when he was playing, just like me. He comes with good advice, especially suggestions for positioning in front of goal and the actual finishing. There, he helped me a lot.

“The best advice I have received from him until now is that I have to play to my strengths. Don’t put pressure on myself. He says I have to express myself on the pitch. It is very nice to be able to get such advice from Solskjaer.

“He can be quite strict with those who have earned it. A good manager must have a bit of both, he must be strict with the players, but also create joy and a good mood.”

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​Juan Mata is set to hold ‘last ditch’ talks with Manchester United over extending his contract before it expires at the end of the season.

Now that he is into the last six months of his contract, Mata is free to sign a pre-contract agreement with another club. Juventus and his former side Valencia have both been linked with a free transfer for the Spaniard.

However, ​Mata is comfortable in Manchester and would like to sign a new contract, but ​United want to reduce his wage packet, which currently earns him £170,000 a week.

​The Sun claims to be have been told by an inside source that Mata’s father, who is also his agent, will fly over from Spain in the next 48 hours for urgent talks.

“His agent is expected to come over with his future still very much up in the air,” said the so-called source.

“Mata has made no secret he wants to stay here. The club have dragged their heels over the extension though.

“The goalposts have been moved in recent days. The new boss is a huge fan of his and thinks he has more to offer.

“The wages might be an issue and he might have to take a reduction but the news is positive all round.”

Mata has featured in just two of United’s five Premier League matches since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over at Old Trafford, but Solskjaer would like to keep the 30-year-old around for the considerable experience and maturity that he offers.

He was one of the few players who did not allow his performance levels to dip during the latter days of Jose Mourinho’s reign, always giving his all for the cause.

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​Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s in-form Manchester United side host Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, as they look for their sixth consecutive win in the Premier League.

United are in the best of form they’ve been in for some time, with Solskjær having had a greater impact on the team’s fortunes than many initially expected. The Red Devils finest result under the new boss was also their most recent, as they won 0-1 away to Tottenham.

​Brighton, who are 13th in the Premier League, travel to Old Trafford to face a very different United side to the one they beat 3-2 earlier in the season.

The negativity surrounding ​United under previous manager Jose Mourinho has vanished since then and the performances have significantly improved. Had this game been scheduled a month earlier, Chris Hughton might have fancied his chances, but escaping from Old Trafford with even a point this weekend seems a big ask for the Seagulls, who have won just one of their last seven in the league.

Here’s everything you need to know about this one.

Where to Watch

Team News

Solskjær announced that ​Alexis Sánchez could be involved following a return to training this week. Sánchez was unavailable for the Spurs game due to the injury picked up in the FA Cup against ​Reading.

Chris Smalling is also a doubt for Saturday’s game with a foot injury that has kept him out of action since early December.

​Marcos Rojo recently travelled back to Argentina to concentrate on recovering from his injury that has also resulted in him being unavailable for over a month and it is expected he will be out for more time.

For the visitors, José Izquierdo has had problems with a knee injury throughout this season and is expected to be unavailable for the trip to Old Trafford.

Bernardo has missed Brighton’s last two games and is a major doubt to make a return to the squad here.

Predicted Lineups

Head to Head Record

​Of a total 20 games between the two clubs, Manchester United have won 12. Brighton have won three, two of which came in 2018, while there have been five draws.

Recent Form

​It’s no secret that United are in terrific form and look a completely different side under caretaker manager Solskjær. Six wins in all competitions with 17 goals scored underline the impact the Norwegian has had. United have also kept a clean sheet in each of their last three games.

Brighton may only have won once in their last seven Premier League outings – and just twice away from home all season – but still look highly unlikely to get drawn into a relegation dog fight.

Despite losing 1-0 at the Amex last time out against high-flying ​Liverpool, recent draws away to ​Arsenal and ​West Ham, in addition to a big win at home to ​Everton see them sit eight points above the danger zone.

Recent form in all competitions:

Prediction

Manchester United are heavy favourites to beat Brighton and many will expect to see them do so in convincing fashion. While players such as ​Paul Pogba and ​Marcus Rashford are getting plaudits, the whole team has shown such an improvement in recent weeks.

Brighton will put up a big fight to get a result at Old Trafford, but may find it difficult with United scoring 13 goals in their last four games at the Theatre of Dreams.

Prediction: Manchester United 3-1 Brighton

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​Manchester United captain Antonio Valencia reportedly intends to see out the remainder of his contract with the club, with a view to finishing his career at the Red Devils, despite falling down the pecking order under caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Valencia finds himself as third choice in his favoured right-back position, behind Ashley Young and Diogo Dalot, and has started just one of Solskjaer’s six matches in charge. 

With his contract expiring in the summer and his first team status only dwindling further, reports had been rife that he could jump ship prematurely with a January move, but ​The Times say this will not be the case. 

The 33-year-old is thought to have informed the club via his representatives that he has no plans to leave early, and wants to earn a new deal and finish his career at the club.

Whether or not ​United are on board with that idea remains to be seen, however, as they are likely to appoint a new management regime in the summer and have a number of tough decisions to make with regards to the playing squad. 

Also out of contract are ​Valencia’s positional counterparts Ashley Young and Matteo Darmian, so it seems likely one of the three will be kept around. 

​Inter are among several clubs thought to have a keen interest in the right-back, who has made over 300 appearances for United since joining from Wigan in 2009, so he is not likely to have too many issues finding a new employer should Old Trafford chiefs decide against keeping him on.

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